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Point of diminishing return for a DAC

I am currently using a Mac mini as a Roon Server with an entry schiit DAC. I am considering buying another DAC. My question: what are the opinions on the point of diminishing returns for a DAC. My system is Golden Ear Triton 2+, Prima Luna preamp Carver tube amp. Quobuz for streaming...

Look forward to thoughts and advice...
128x128fastninja12
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
In my experience, albeit somewhat limited, I believe the 80/20 rule applies; you get roughly 80% of the sound quality with 20% of the cost. Its the remaining 20% sound quality where you spend most of the cost, and time. The proverbial rabbit hole....
ianrmack
227 posts
 
12-31-2019 9:06amIn my experience, albeit somewhat limited, I believe the 80/20 rule applies; you get roughly 80% of the sound quality with 20% of the cost. Its the remaining 20% sound quality where you spend most of the cost, and time. The proverbial rabbit hole....

80-100% agree with this...;-)

80/20 or 90/10...whatever you believe but we think hat diminishing returns are real. Music lovers seem to be happy at 80-92% while audiophiles and "gear lovers" pursue that last 8% with passion...and real dollars.

david_ten
5,480 posts
 
Percentages require a fixed point for a calculation. None of you, and none of us, have that reference point. 
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cleeds
5,645 posts
 
david_ten
Percentages require a fixed point for a calculation. None of you, and none of us, have that reference point.
Exactly! I could never understand claims in audio such as a 10 percent improvement, or trying to reach the last X percent.
ianrmack
227 posts
 
12-31-2019 12:41pm"Percentages require a fixed point for a calculation. None of you, and none of us, have that reference point."

Maybe yes, maybe no. Like you say, nobody knows....maybe.

Then again, my take is that those who kinda know where that point may lie are super happy with their $1,00-$2,000 DACs while those who dont  are are already $8,000 deep into a DAC and wondering why they detect a touch of timbral harshness in the upper highs at the 75hz crossover point...

Maybe if you spend $1,500 more on a better power cord,  you will be happy...;-)

I'm just kidding, of course, but you get my point.
Cheers.

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